Fine Art - Showcase Trend

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Featured Artist: John Watson

July 8, 2008

Out of a love of wandering and looking arose my appreciation of the intrinsic beauty of nature. These compositions are ruminations of shape, color and detail presented with simplicity and subtlety. Leaves were collected around the San Francisco Bay Area, including the arboretums in Golden Gate Park and UC Berkeley, and represent varieties from around the world.

Photographs were taken within hours of collection to preserve the color and suppleness of the leaves.

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Born and raised in San Diego, I lived a comfortable but uninteresting life. I attended a local university to study art and design. There I discovered Japanese design annuals and became excited by the possibilities of graphic design as an artistic medium. After some traveling I moved to San Francisco and began practicing fine art, which challenged and entertained me for many years. Projects included pastel drawings and collage, photography, watercolor and ink assemblages. During this time I worked as a graphic designer and photographer.

In 1995 I sat in a chair for 21 days and created a series of simple ink drawings that became a collection of note cards, invitations and stationery. Success found me managing a small card company, with little time left for creative pursuits. So began a new business to license these drawings, and the development of new designs and photography for this purpose.

I continue to work as an art director and designer, while making photo collages and weavings, limited edition prints, and playing with my son in Oakland, California. I have received many awards and recognition, mostly from those who love me. My interests include beauty and rhythm, subtlety and simplicity.